Mon.’s Devo - Arise and Shine

Read: Isaiah 60:1-62:5; Philippians 1:27-2:18; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 24:11-12 Today’s reading is the Good News of the Old Testament. We are the light of the world. Isaiah tells Jerusalem to let her light shine and let the world see God’s glory. All nations will be drawn to her light. Prodigal sons and daughters will come home. Our hearts will be thrilled as we see this. They will come bringing the wealth of where they have been and their reason for coming will be to worship the Lord. God’s dwelling place will be glorious! This prophecy was for then but it is also for now. *** People will come to help rebuild the towns of Israel and their kings will serve them. The kings of the world who have reigned with evil intentions will be led as captives. The nations that refuse to serve the Lord and Israel will be destroyed. The Deep State will be no more. *** Those who have hated Israel and Christians will bow down before us and honor us. God will beautify our land in Israel and also in America. Both were founded on a promise from the Lord. We will have an abundance of wealth spiritually and physically. Our government will be one of peace and righteousness. It will be the end of violence, desolation and destruction. Salvation will be our walls and praise will be on our lips. *** The Lord will be our everlasting light and the light will never go away. Our mourning is over and all the people will be righteous. We will possess the land forever and bring glory to the Lord. Our small nation will grow and prosper. *** Isaiah 61 transitions to Isaiah’s commission which is the same scripture Jesus used to describe his commission and is the same scripture that we can use to be our commission. We have been anointed to bring good news to the poor, to comfort the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to captives and to set those who are in prisons, free. We are to proclaim that today is the day of God’s favor when he will fight our enemies and turn everything around. God has anointed us for this time in history and it is going to be glorious. *** We will rebuild our nation and revive the people who are left. We will be priests of the Lord and ones who rule the mountains of society. Only we will do it as servants and not as dictators. God will provide all we need to make our land a joy and a blessing. *** It will be the righteous who are honored in the land and not the evil. Isaiah promises to pray until he sees all these things happen. God’s people will one day shine in righteousness and be called “The City of God’s Delight.” God will rejoice over her as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. *** Paul in Philippians tells us to live as citizens of heaven. We are not to be intimidated in any way by our enemies. Our weapons are boldness, compassion, love, and the fact that we can work together with one mind and purpose. This is what is going to assure our victory. Christ is our example of how to live selflessly for others and not for ourselves. The enemy has no idea how to do this. God will exalt us in due time just as he did Jesus and we will give all our crowns to him. *** God gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases him so we know that he will also give us the victory. He makes serving him a joy. *** Lord, we rejoice in your wonderful plan. Thank you for choosing to save us and use us to bring you glory in the earth. May our live count for your kingdom.

Sun.’s Devo - The Right Fast

Read: Isaiah 57:15-59:21; Philippians 1:1-26; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 24:9-10 God lives in the holy place in heaven with those who have humble and contrite hearts. He restores their crushed spirits. He punishes the greedy who refuse to repent. He comforts those who mourn for their sins and turns their mourning into praise and brings them abundant peace. But those who still reject him will never have peace. *** God told Isaiah to tell Israel of their sins. They piously went to the Temple every day going through their rituals and pretending they wanted to be close to God. They fasted and prayed but their actions are far from what pleases the Lord. They did it to please themselves instead of God. They oppressed their workers and quarreled among themselves. God told them their fasting was in vain. *** The kind of fast the Lord wanted was to free those from their prisons, to lighten the load of the oppressed and to remove the chains that kept people in bondage. It was to feed the hungry and clothe and shelter the homeless. They were to help their relatives who needed help. *** Then God could heal them and give them his glory. Then he would quickly answer their prayers. They were to let their light shine in the darkness and be a ever-flowing spring of God’s spirit. They were to rebuild the deserted ruins of their cities and restored families. *** God wants his Sabbath kept holy. It is to be a delight where God’s desires are honored, not our own. Then the Lord will be our delight and give us honor and give us our promised inheritance. *** It is not the fact that God couldn’t save them, but their own fault they were not getting their prayers answered. Their sins had kept them from God. They didn’t care about being fair or honest and ran to do evil. They were blind and stumbled around in the dark. Their sins were piled up against them. *** God saw that there was no justice and stepped in to save. He put on righteousness as his armor and the helmet of salvation on his head. He clothed himself with the robe of vengeance and divine passion. He will repay his enemies for all their evil deeds till the people glorify and respect his name. *** God will come and buy back his own who have turned from their sins. He will covenant with them again saying his spirit will not leave them and his word will be with them forever. *** Paul writes to the Philippians encouraging them in their ministry. He prays that their love will grow more and more and that they grow in knowledge and understanding. He prays that they always be filled with the fruit of their salvation which is the righteous character that Christ produces in his children who honor him. *** He explains to them that the fact that he is in jail for Christ has given the believers confidence and boldness to stand also for Christ. It has caused other to stand and preach Paul’s message boldly with pure motives. *** Paul is not afraid to live or afraid to die, he just wants to do what will give God the most glory. He wants to live so he can preach to more people but he also wants to see Christ. It is all for his glory. *** Lord, may we be like Paul whose only desire was to bring honor to Christ. May we grow in love, knowledge and wisdom. May our witness be bold and bright.

Sat.’s Devo - The Return of Righteousness to the Nation

Read: Isaiah 54:1-57:14; Ephesians 6:1-4; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 24:8 Isaiah sees all the orphaned children who will need a home. Isaiah tells them to build bigger houses to house the children who will need homes. Israel will no longer live in shame over her sins. *** Isaiah sees the prosperity of the nation returning and a government coming that is just and fair. They would be free from enemies who would attack and if they attack, it would not go well for them. No weapon that they could make would be able to succeed against God’s people. God will vindicate his people when they are accused. *** Like David, God’s people will command nations they don’t know and they will obey them. God has planned this and it is beyond our wildest imagination. God sends out his Word and it accomplishes exactly what He says. God’s people will live in joy and peace and all nature will respond with joy and growth. *** God is extending his grace and promises to people who are not his own. Even eunuchs, or trans in our world, will be blessed if they commit themselves to the Lord. All who commit themselves to the Lord will be brought to the mountain of Jerusalem where they will be filled with joy in his house of prayer. *** The false prophets of their day spent their time getting drunk and missed the signs of what was coming. *** Good people die young and no one stops to wonder why they are dying. God says he is protecting them from the evil to come. If they are following the Lord they will rest in peace when they die. *** Many followed false gods and committed great sins against humanity and God. God will expose their “good deeds” and no false god will be able to save them from God’s judgment. *** Those who trust in the Lord will inherit the land and possess his holy mountain. *** In Ephesians, God tells the children to honor their parents so it will go well with them and they will live long lives. He tells the fathers to discipline and instruct with love. The slaves are to respect their masters and served them as they would serve Christ. God is the one who will reward them. *** Masters are to treat their slaves with respect because they represent God to their workers. *** We are to be strong in the Lord, wearing his armor so that we can stand firm against all strategies of the devil. We are not fighting against humans but spiritual evil rulers and authorities in the unseen world, Agains mighty powers in the dark world and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. *** Our armor is the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness and for shoes, the peace that comes from the Word. We also hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil when he comes to us to taunt us with fearful lies. We are to wear the helmet of salvation to cover our minds and take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. *** Another great weapon is prayer. We are to pray in the Spirit always and pray for other believers everywhere. *** Paul wanted prayer for boldness to be able to explain the plan of the Good News. *** Lord, may we walk in your Sprit giving love to everyone we meet. May we have boldness to be a living epistle of truth. We celebrate the return of righteousness to our nation and say, “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”

Fri.’s Devo - Jesus’ Sacrifice for Us

Read: Isaiah 51:1-53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7 God tells Israel to remember Abraham was just a man when he called him. God blessed him to become a great nation. He is our natural ancestor. God will do it again. He will take the nation of Israel in her devastation and ruin and make a great nation of her. The earth may wear out but God’s salvation and righteousness will never end. *** God’s people will return to their rightful inheritance. We do not need to be afraid or intimidated by those who insult us and our God. The creator of all is our God and Father. *** Israel had seen desolation, destruction, famine and war and now was the time to celebrate. Now was the time to remove the chains of slavery from their necks. The prophets see the Lord returning to Jerusalem to redeem and comfort his people. *** Isaiah saw a perfect picture of Jesus who came as a baby to bring salvation to the world. He came and was despised and rejected by the very men he came to save. He knew sorrow and grief and rejection. Yet, he carried all our sorrows and weaknesses to the cross and was pierced for our rebellion and sin. He was beaten so we could be whole; whipped so we could be healed. He did this willingly for us. He, who knew no sin became our sin so we might be saved. This was God’s plan. Because Jesus obeyed, he was given many descendants and the reward of a victorious soldier. *** Ephesians tells us that since Jesus did all this for us on the cross, we should live a life of love for one anther. We should not have any sexual impurity in our lives or greed. Instead, we should be thankful and live in the light of God’s righteousness. We are to expose the evil and darkness when we let our light shine. *** Instead of looking to the things the world looks to, we are to be filled with the Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making music to the Lord. We are to submit to one another out of reverence to Christ. Our marriages should reflect the order of God: God - husband - wife. We all represent submission and love for one another. We submit to God above all and he is the one who loves us the most. In the same way we should not be afraid to submit to our husbands because they love us back just like God does. As the wife we represent the Bride of Christ. As the husband, they represent God. We are all honored by God. We should all honor each other. *** Lord, may we grasp the magnitude of the cross. May we be grateful for our role in your Kingdom. May we be the light of the world because of Christ in us.

Thurs.’s Devo - Salvation is Coming

Read: Isaiah 48:12-50:11; Ephesians 4:17-32; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 24:5-6 God chose Cyrus to be on his side. God has given him an assignment and will help him succeed. If Israel had listened to the Lord, they would have lived in peace and safety and God would not have had to destroy them. *** Now, he was bringing them out of their captivity. God would use Cyrus to make them a light to the Gentiles and bring his salvation to the world. That is exactly what Trump is doing and what Jesus did. Jesus was salvation. *** At the set time, God will fill Israel again with his people. All the suffering will be over and God’s people will return. Our children will come back. The land that was once abandoned will be filled with people. The godless people will give the children of promise back to Israel. What the enemy did to them will be done to the enemy. There will be no one left to accuse Gods’ people. *** Isaiah warns the people to look to the Lord’s light and salvation to save them, not to depend upon themselves and their own strength. *** Paul tells us to not to let our old sinful nature have any control over us anymore. Stop doing the things you did before you came to Christ. The Holy Spirit has identified us as his own. We are to be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving as Christ has forgiven us. *** Lord, may we walk in your love and compassion. May we have eyes to see what you are doing in the world to bring your salvation to all.

Wed.’s Devo - God’s Gifts Throughout the Ages

Read: Isaiah 45:11-48:11; Ephesians 4:1-16; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 24:3-4 Who are we to question what God does for us or to us? He is our creator and source of everything. He raised up Cyrus (Trump) to fulfill his purposes and will guide his actions. *** God will give us the wealth of our enemies and they will fall on their knees in front of us and acknowledge that God is with us. Every knee will bow and declare that He is God. He will justify all who are his and in Him will we boast. *** To Babylon, God says that Babylon will never again be known as the queen of heaven. God had used them to bring his people back to him but Babylon showed God’s people no mercy. They were ruthless even to the elderly and didn’t consider the consequences. Now, they will become widows and childless, despite their witchcraft and magic. They will not be able to buy their way out or be prepared for the calamity the Lord will send upon them. *** To Jacob, God reminds them that he told them long ago this would happen so they could never say their idols did it. Now God is going to tell them new things they have never heard. For the sake of his name he will refine them and share his glory with them. This applies to us right now! *** In Ephesians, Paul reminds us to be patient with one another’s faults. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit. *** Jesus ascended into hell when he died on the cross and led the righteous to heaven. When he ascended, he ascended far above our heavens to God’s throne and now the whole universe is filled with himself. Like Psalm 68:18 says, when Jesus ascended to heaven, he gave gifts to his people. *** The gifts he gave to the church were: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip the church to do his work and to build up the church so that we will come into unity and be mature. *** Lord, thank you for your plan. Thank you for bringing your people back to you. Thank you for your plan to rid us of our enemies and give us back your kingdom on earth. May we appreciate the gifts you have given us in the people you have put them in. May we walk in love.

Tues.’s Devo - Our Victory in Christ

Read: Isaiah 43:14-45:10; Ephesians 3:1-21; Psalm 68:1-18; Proverbs 24:1-2 Because of God’s love for his people, he forced the Babylonians to flee from them. He made a dry path through the sea for Israel to escape on and drowned the Egyptians in the sea. He gave them water in the wilderness to drink. *** God had done all that for Israel, but now, when in trouble, she wouldn’t turn to ask him to help. She had forgotten the Lord. She had stopped bringing him sacrifices and offerings. She had burdened the Lord with her sins and faults. *** God alone is the one who will blot out our sins. Man had proven he was a sinner, beginning with Adam. Man has no argument of his innocence with God. All his leaders broke the laws God gave him. So, God disgraced their priests and decreed complete destruction for Jacob and shame for Israel. *** But now, the Lord was calling Israel to repent. God promised to pour out his Spirit upon their descendants and his blessings on their children. They would thrive and proclaim the name of the Lord. *** God challenged anyone to step forward and prove their power against God’s power. *** We were made to be God’s witness that He is the only God. Those who make idols are foolish and their idols are a total sham. But those who put their trust in the Lord will not be ashamed. God has paid the price for our salvation and our sins and offenses will be scattered like the dust in the wind. *** God exposes the false prophets and proves that the wise of this world are really fools. He was sending his servant, Cyrus to level those in authority and smash their kingdoms they thought were so secure. He called Cyrus when he didn’t even know God. He called him for the sake of God’s people, just like he called Trump for the people of God in our day. *** Paul’s message was that both the Gentiles and the Jews who believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ shared equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. This had been the plan from the beginning of time and was now revealed to the church. God was going to use the church to display his wisdom to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. *** May God empower us with inner strength through his Spirit and may Christ make his home in our hearts.

Mon.’s Devo- God’s Promises

Read: Isaiah 41:17-43:13; Ephesians 2:1-22; Psalm 67:1-7; Proverbs 23:29-35 God promised when they had no water, He would fill the desert with pools of water. He would plant trees in the desert and they would live. All would understand that it was the Lord who had done this. *** Then the Lord challenged those who worshipped idols to present their case for their idols. He would prove that they can do nothing nor tell the future. *** God would stir up a leader who would come from the north and call on his name. He would give him victory over the kings and princes of the earth. This leader would be given God’s spirit to bring justice to all who have been wronged. He will not falter or give up. *** God will take him by the hand and guard him. He will demonstrate God’s righteousness. He will open the eyes of the blind, set free the captives from their prison and bring light to those in darkness. *** This leader was Cyrus in their day and Trump in our day. But, the ultimate fulfillment was in Jesus who would fulfill it both physically and spiritually. *** When this happens everyone will sing a new song to the Lord. It will be a song of joy. *** Isaiah called to those who were asleep and bling to the truth to wake up and see. Some who did see and recognize what was right refused to act on it. But, now he was calling them to listen and know that God is with them and was coming to ransom them back from their difficulties. He was calling them to come together and be his witnesses to the world that He is the only God. *** In Ephesians, Paul explains that we all came from the same state of sin and obeyed the devil, the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the one who works in the hearts of the those who refuse to obey God. *** But God in his mercy lied us and gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. When he raised Christ, he also raised us with him. We have been appointed to do good things that God planned for us long ago. *** God united the Jews and the Gentiles into one people and broke down the wall of hostility that separated us when he died on the cross. Now we all can come to the other through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. We are all his family - his house built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. Jesus is the cornerstone of this holy Temple that we are a part of. *** Lord, we thank you that we are stones in your Temple. Thank you for our salvation and adoption. May we glorify your name with our lives.

Sun.’s Devo - God’s Plan

Read: Isaiah 39:1-41:16; Ephesians 11-23; Psalm 66:1-20; Proverbs 23:25-28 The king of Babylon sent congratulations to Hezekiah when he heard he had been very sick and recovered. He sent gifts by his envoys and Hezekiah proudly showed them all the wealth of his kingdom. When they left, Isaiah went to see King Hezekiah. He asked him who came and what they saw. Hezekiah answered, from Babylon and they saw everything. Isaiah gave him a word from the Lord that because he showed them everything, one day everything would be carried off to Babylon. Some of his own sons would be taken into exile and serve as eunuchs. *** Hezekiah was just glad it wasn’t going to happen in his lifetime. *** God gave Isaiah a word for Israel for years later. It was a word of comfort that she would need when the days of her bondage would be over. God would make a way for her to return. God promised to reveal his glory to his people once again. *** God told Isaiah to shout that the people’s lifespan was like grass - here today, gone tomorrow, but his Word stands forever. *** God declared he would come in power and carry his people safely in his arms. God doesn’t need anyone’s advice or opinion. He has decided what he is going to do. God sits above the circle of the earth and looks down on the people and judges them. *** The strong in the world will become weak, but those who trust in the Lord will rise up with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. God will call his people from the ends of the earth. Anyone who tries to oppose them will come to nothing. God will help us because He is our Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. *** Paul tells us in his letter to the Ephesians that he has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. He loved us before he made us and chose us to be holy. He chose to adopt us into his own family through Christ. *** He told us his plan which is to bring everything together under the authority of Christ - everything in heaven and on earth. This is the plan God wants each of us to grasp in our hearts. Christ is now seated in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. All things have been put under his authority. *** Lord, may we grasp your plan and live with your authority in our hearts. We give all our praise and honor to you.

Sat.’s Devo - God’s Deliverance

Read: Isaiah 37:1-38:22; Galatians 6:1-18 Psalm 65:1-13; Proverbs 23:24 Hezekiah heard the threats from the Assyrian officer and put on burlap and went to the Temple to pray. He sent his secretary to tell Isaiah what had been said and Isaiah sent back the word of the Lord. *** God told Hezekiah not to be upset about the blasphemous things he said about Him. He would move against them and send them home. *** Sure enough, the army of Assyria got news they needed to be fighting somewhere else and left but they promised that they would return. The messenger reminded Hezekiah of all the nations that he had destroyed and that his god would not be able to protect them, just like the gods of these other nations they conquered were not able to defend them. *** When Isaiah heard the threat God put things in perspective. It was God who had given Assyria the power to take down those other nations but they would not be able to take Jerusalem. God would put a hook in their mouth and make them return the same way they came. *** As proof of what God was saying, the people of Jerusalem would eat from what they had and the next year eat what grew up that year and the next year they would be able to plant and reap. (They were under a siege so they were not able to plant and tend their vineyards.) What God was saying was that He would provide from what they had for the next two years and the third year the siege would be over and they would be able to return to work. *** As for the army of Assyria, they wouldn’t even enter Jerusalem. Their king, Sennacherib would return to his own land. *** That night the army of the Lord killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers and King Sennacherib went home to Nineveh where his own sons killed him as he went to worship his god. *** Isaiah sent news to Hezekiah that he was about to die so he should set his kingdom in order. Hezekiah reminded God of his faithfulness to him and God relented and promised him 15 more years. As a sign of his promise he caused the shadow on the sundial to move backward 10 steps. *** In Galatians, Paul told them to help restore other believers when they fall into sin and not get overcome with pride when they are doing well. He reminded us that we are responsible for our own conduct. We will reap what we sow and if we sow to the flesh, we will reap of the flesh. If we sow into the Spirit, we will reap spiritual blessings. Our goal is to be transformed into new creatures in Christ. *** May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirits as we become transformed into his likeness.

Fri.’s Devo - God Almighty

Read: Isaiah 33:10-36:22; Galatians 5:13-26; Psalm 64:1-10; Proverbs 23:23 One of God’s repeating themes throughout the Bible is that the ungodly will be judged and the righteous will be saved. Isaiah spells out who the godly are. They are those who are honest and fair and refuse to take bribes or defraud others. They refuse to plot murder or be enticed to do wrong. These are the ones who will rule the mountain. They will be supplied with food and water in abundance. *** At the time, the enemy was the Assyrian army who had come to take Jerusalem. But, Isaiah was reminding them of a much greater king than the king of Assyria. God will protect Jerusalem from their enemy and they will stand strong. The wealth of the Assyrians will be given to the righteous and God will forgive their sins. *** God will judge the world and Edom will be destroyed for all the evil they did against God’s people. Their land will become a desert from generation to generation and no one will live there again. It will be given to the wild animals and be called the Land of Nothing. *** Out of the midst of that nothingness will spring life and healing and hope. A road that was once deserted will become known as the Highway of Holiness and the evil-minded people will not be able to travel it. It will be for those who walk in God’s ways. Those ransomed by the Lord will enter Jerusalem singing for joy. *** In Hezekiah’s 14th year, King Sennacherib of Assyria came to destroy Jerusalem. The Assyrian’s chief of staff sent a message to Hezekiah telling him he was had no hope to win. Egypt would not help them and neither would God. Their army was tiny compared to Assyria’s. *** When the leaders asked the Assyrian officer not to speak in Hebrew so the people could understand him, he told them that he was speaking so they could understand. He wanted them to be afraid and lose heart. He reminded them of the other nations who fell and thought their god would rescue them. Their gods were not able to stand against Assyria’s army. They didn’t know that their god was not just any other god he was The God Almighty. *** The people didn’t answer the officer because Hezekiah had told them not to answer him. Hezekiah was told what was being said and he tore his clothes in despair. *** In Galatians, Paul tells us not to use our freedom in Christ as an excuse to sin, but instead as a way to serve one another in love. We can do this by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our lives. The Holy Spirit sets us free from the law. He will produce his fruit in us which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. *** Lord, we choose to be controlled by your Holy Spirit instead of our sinful nature. We choose to walk in love.

Thurs.’s Devo - Salvation

Read: Isaiah 30:12-33:9; Galatians 5:1-12; 63:1-11; Proverbs 23:22 Israel despised what the Lord said through his prophets and listened to the lies and oppression of the enemy, so the thing they feared came upon them. God told them that the only way they would be saved was if they returned to him so he could show them his love and compassion. *** God wanted to send them a teacher to show them the way back to righteousness and back to him. Then the Lord would be able to shower them with blessings in every area of their lives. *** Those who looked to Egypt for help would be greatly disappointed. They will fail them because they are mere humans. God and his army will protect Jerusalem. The Assyrians will have to face God’s army and they will be defeated. *** God will send his honest prince, Jesus, and those who have eyes to see and ears to hear will receive him and his words. *** The ones who trusted in their riches will be devastated and lose everything, but those who put their confidence in the Lord will live in safety and be at rest. They will plant see and receive bountiful crops. *** The Assyrians who were always the ones who destroyed everyone else, will be destroyed. Those who wait on the Lord will not be disappointed; they will be saved. Their enemies will run at the sound of God’s voice. God promises that Jerusalem will one day be his home of justice and righteousness. *** Paul encourages the Galatians to stay free from serving the law for salvation. Righteousness is obtained by faith not by adhering to the law. If you think the law can make you righteous then you must obey every tittle of it and you must reject Christ who came to set you free. *** Lord, thank you for setting us free from the requirements of the law and giving us grace. May we walk in your Spirit that gives us life.

Wed.’s Devo - God is Our Only Hope

Read: Isaiah 28:14-30:11; Galatians 3:23-4:31; Psalm 62:1-12; Proverbs 23:19-21 The rulers of Jerusalem had thought they could buy their way out of the judgment that was coming, but God was not letting that happen. Jesus would be the standard of justice. The wicked will get what they deserve. The Lord is determined to crush the whole land. *** Jerusalem will be punished for her blood sacrifices made to foreign gods. She will be crushed, then God will crush those who destroyed her; they will be gone like a vapor. Jerusalem won’t believe these words, but it will still happen as the prophet proclaimed. *** The people of Jerusalem can’t believe Isaiah’s words because their eyes have been blinded and their hearts sealed. They are hypocrites that just go through the motions of worshiping God, but their hearts are far from him. The wicked, who don’t think God sees what they do in secret, will find out differently. *** Then the veil will be removed from the eyes of the humble and they will be filled with joy. The wicked and the scoffer will be gone and the innocent will rejoice. *** Israel had asked Egypt for their help instead of asking the Lord. Instead of help, they got humiliation. Israel gave them much money to help them, but it was all in vain. *** God told Isaiah to write all this in a book to stand as a witness against the people who refused to heed its words. They didn’t want to hear any bad news, they just wanted to hear good news from the prophets. *** In Galatians, Paul was warning the church not to listen to the teachers who were trying to put them under the law again. Paul gave many examples of how they are not subject to the law anymore, but the freedom of grace by faith. *** Lord, let us remain in the freedom you purchased for us at Calvary. Our victory comes from you alone.

Tues.’s Devo - Christ’s Victory

Read: Isaiah 25:1-28:13; Galatians 3:10-22; Psalm 61:1-8; Proverbs 23:17-18 Isaiah declared the wonderful things God was doing. He was turning mighty cities into heaps of ruins, yet he was a tower of refuge to the poor and needy. He was a shelter from the storm and heat. He silenced the threats of foreign nations. *** God will spread a feast for the people of the world in Jerusalem and remove the cloud of gloom and the shadow of death. He will swallow up death forever and wipe away all tears. The people will rejoice in God’s victory. The God they trusted will save them. *** The people of the Lord will sing that they are surrounded by walls of salvation. All who are righteous may enter in and be saved. God will make their path straight and smooth. *** When God judges, the people learn what is right. Kindness to the wicked does not make them do right. It doesn’t change them. *** God gives his people peace and He will make us great again. He tells the people to go in their houses and stay hidden until the evil people are punished and brought out for all to see. *** Leviathan will be punished and all who followed him unless they repent. Israel will be exiled to purge away her sin. All the pagan altars would be crushed to dust and her towns will lie dormant and overgrown with weeds. The wild animals will overtake her because she turned away from God. *** Her leaders, priests and prophets were all drunkards who defied God’s authority. God tried to tell them little by little what was coming but now he will have to talk to them through foreign oppressors who does not even speak their language. God tried to bring them into his rest, but they refused to come. God will speak to them again little by little. The message is that they will be injured, trapped and captured. In Galatians, Paul preached that those who believed they could be made right by obeying the law would be cursed. It is by faith that a person is make right with God. Christ rescued us from the curse of the law when he hung on the cross. He took the curse that was ours on himself. He did this for everyone - Jew and Gentile. *** God gave the promise to Abraham and his child… not children. This child was referring to Christ. The law was given 430 years after Abraham was given his promise and the law did not negate Abraham’s promise. The law was given alongside of the promise to show the people their sins. The law was only to last until the promised one came, who was Jesus. We are prisoners of sin until we accept the freedom of the cross. *** Lord, may we walk in the freedom you purchased for us on the cross. May we not be tempted to fall back into bondage and condemnation. Thank you for salvation. We love you for being our Father, our Saviour and our Friend.

Mon.’s Devo - A Picture of the End

Read: Isaiah 22:1-24:23; Galatians 2:17-3:9; Psalm 60:1-12; Proverbs 23:15-16 Isaiah is shown a vision of Jerusalem’s future. He sees the people dying of famine while the leaders have fled and given up without a fight. The walls of Jerusalem have been broken down and the people are trying to survive with little hope. In all their troubles, they don’t ask for the Lord’s help. They don’t repent or show any remorse for their sins. *** Isaiah singles out Shebna and rebukes him for building a monument to himself. Shebna was a prefect, or palace administrator who rejected Isaiah’s warnings for the people. Isaiah prophesied that he would be driven out of his office because he was a disgrace to his master. Eliakim would replace him. He would be a father to the people in Jerusalem and Judah. To him God would give the key to the house of David. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them: when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. *** The nail that is in the wall so permanently (Shebna) will fall to the ground and everyone who supports him will fall with him. *** God sent a message to Tyre, the marketplace of the world. God will destroy it and bring down all the earth’s nobility. It will be dormant for 70 years, then God will bring it back to life. She will once again be prosperous and become a prostitute to all the kingdoms, but in the end her wealth will be given to provide food and fine clothing for the Lord’s priests. (We are God’s priests.) *** The Lord will destroy the surface of the earth and scatter the people. They will be completely emptied and looted for their sins. They had twisted God’s instructions and violated his laws and broken his covenant. A curse was on the earth and the people must pay for their sins. A few will be left alive. Those few will shout and sing for joy and praise the Lord. All over the earth, those that are left will be signing songs of praise to the Lord. *** God will punish the gods in the heavens and the proud rulers on the earth. They will be rounded up and put in prison and finally punished. God will rule in great glory in Jerusalem in the sight of all the leaders of his people. *** While this is a prophecy for back then, it is a prophecy for right now also. Everything cycles around and we are at this very place where God is about to judge the wicked and reward the righteous. *** Paul goes to great lengths to explain that we no longer have to meet the requirements of the law to please God. We please him and are counted righteous by our faith in him. Our faith is what makes us his children. Our faith in Christ gives us the privilege of sharing in the blessing of Abraham. *** Lord, we put all our trust in you. When nations fall, we will trust in you and we will stand to be your light.

Sun.’s Devo - God Will Move

Read: Isaiah 19:1-21:17; Galatians 2:1-16; Psalm 59:1-17; Proverbs 23:13-14 God had a message for Egypt. God would cause them to fight one another. They will call on their idols for wisdom but will be given a cruel master instead. *** The Nile will begin to dry up causing a drought. The answer coming from their government will be foolishness and wrong. Egypt will become weak and will fear Israel. Five of Egypt’s cities will follow the Lord and begin to speak Hebrew. One of them will be Heliopolis. They will cry to the Lord and make an altar to the Lord and a monument to the Lord at their border. The Lord will save them and send a savior to rescue them. He will make himself known to them and save them and heal them. *** Egypt and Assyria will be connected by a highway and move freely between their lands. They will both worship God. Egypt, Assyria and Israel will be a blessing in the middle of the earth. *** God told Isaiah to take off his burlap and sandals and walk naked and barefoot. He did this for three years as a sign of the terrible troubles that were coming for Egypt and Ethiopia. They will be taken away naked as prisoners. When this happens the Philistines will panic, knowing they are next. *** God sent a message to Babylon that disaster was coming to them. They will be attacked by the Elamites and the Medes. When their watchmen see chariot with a pair of horses coming they will know that Babylon is fallen. *** God sent a message to Edom. The night will be long before they can rest in peace. *** A message came to Arabia. They will be overrun by a foreign nation within a year. Tema will provide water for the refugees from Kedar. Kedar was a wandering tribe from northern Arabia. *** Paul continues his testimony. He spent 14 years away from Jerusalem and then God told him to return. He shared with the leaders of the church in Jerusalem his assignment to the Gentiles and they were in agreement of his ministry. *** Paul had brought Barnabas and Titus with him. Some of the false believers infiltrated the church and demanded that Titus be circumcised but Paul and the true believers refused to give in to them. They wanted to rob them of the freedom they had in Christ. *** James, Peter and John recognized Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles and while they ministered to the Jews. When Peter came to visit Paul in Antioch, Paul rebuked him because he stopped eating with the Gentiles because they hadn’t been circumcised. Peter caused Barnabas to follow him in this. He called him a hypocrite because they preached that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not be obeying the law. No one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law. *** Lord, we stand in the freedom you have given us in Christ. We stand for our freedom to reign on the earth as children of the Lord Most High. We do not tolerate wickedness in our nation and our houses, but call them to line up to the obedience of Christ.

Sat.’s Devo - Messages to Moab, Damascus and Galatia

Read: Isaiah 15:1-18:7; Galatians 1:1-24; Psalm 58:1-11; Proverbs 23:12 God sent a message to Moab by Isaiah. Ar, the metropolis of Moab would be leveled in a night and the people will panic in fear and mourn in sorrow. They will flee to Zoar in the south and Eglath-shelishiyah. Everywhere they look will be destruction and then lions will come and hunt them down. *** They will cry for Judah to help them. They will even send them lambs again like they did when David required the lambs as tribute. *** When the destruction has ended and the raiders have gone it will be the sign that it is time for one of David’s descendants to rule with mercy and truth. This is the Messiah. *** Moab will be completely devastated. They will cry out to their false gods but get no response. *** God told Isaiah that all this would happen in three years from that day. The glory of Moab would be taken down and only a few left alive. *** God gave Isaiah a message for Damascus. It would disappear into a heap of ruins. Then the people will look to their Creator and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. All this happened because they turned from God who could save them and forgot that he was the Rock who could hide them. *** Armies would rage and make much noise, but God will silence them and make them run away like chaff scattered by the wind. Israel would be afraid for a very short time, but then it would be over and their enemies dead. *** God sent this message to Ethiopia, the headwaters of the Nile. They were a people feared for their conquests and destruction. They would plan an attack but God will stop them and leave them dead on the battle field. They will end up bringing gifts to God’s people in Jerusalem. *** In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he rebukes them for turning away from The Lord so soon. They let themselves be deceived by the false doctrine of salvation. These other apostles had claimed that since Paul didn’t know Jesus, he was not a real apostle. *** Paul reminds them of his own testimony and how he started out persecuting the Christians until he had his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. He then went to Arabia for a while and then returned to Damascus. Three years later he went to Jerusalem to meet with Peter for 15 days. The only other apostle he met was James. After that he went to Syria and Cilicia to tell his testimony and the people praised God because of his great change. *** Lord, may we not look to people to honor, but honor you as the Supreme Creator of us all. May we esteem what you esteem and leave the rest to you. May we not be distracted by silly arguments and opinions. Your opinion is all we want.

Fri.’s Devo - The Day of the Lord

Read: Isaiah 12:1-14:32; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14; Psalm 57:1-11; Proverbs 23:9-11 In the day of victory, Israel will praised the Lord and be restored to the Lord. The day of salvation has come. *** Isaiah received a message to report about the destruction of Babylon. God will call armies from many nations to come and destroy the whole land of Babylon. The day of the Lord has arrived and the Lord is coming to judge the world of their evil and the wicked for their sin. The sky will go dark with God’s anger. *** God will stir up the Medes against Babylon. The Medes cannot be bought and will have no mercy. Babylon will become a place for wild animals. *** God will have mercy on Jacob’s descendants and bring them back to settle in their own land. The nations of the world will help them return and those who come to live in the Lord’s land will serve them. They will finally be free from sorrow and fear, slavery and chains. *** Then Isaiah was told to taunt the king of Babylon who struck the people with endless blows of rage and held the nations in tyranny. Finally, the earth is at rest and can sing. *** The spirits of the dead in the pit will welcome the king of Babylon and taunt him also. He will be ridiculed and disgraced. *** God sword an oath to Israel that He would set his people free from the reign of the Assyrians. *** When Ahaz died, God sent a message to the Philistines. They did not need to rejoice that he had died because one more dangerous will reign and you will die of famine. They would be attacked by a nation in the north and destroyed. He was also to tell the Philistines that Jerusalem was built to give refuge to his oppressed people. *** In Paul’s letter, he is warning them that he is coming the third time and hopes that they have heeded the instruction of his last letters. He prays that they have repented and cleaned up their lives. He wants to be able to come and encourage them, not tear them down. *** Lord, may we live with eternity in mind. May we rejoice at what you are doing in our nation to bring about righteousness and truth.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Return of Righteousness

Read: Isaiah 10:1-11:16; 2 Corinthians 12:11-21; Psalms 56:1-13; Proverbs 23:6-8 God spells out the sins of the unjust judges who wrote unfair laws to prey on the poor, the widows and the orphans. God was using Assyria as a tool to punish them but then he was going to judge Assyria. *** The king of Assyria will boast that he destroyed Israel on his own strength, but then he will face the might of the Lord. God will destroy Assyria which will end the bondage of his people. The remnant will be saved. Then out of David’s lineage will come the Messiah who will have the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord and will give justice to the poor and will shake the world with his words. His very breath will destroy the wicked. Peace will return to nature and fear of harm will be gone. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all God’s holy mountain. The earth will be filled with people who know the Lord. *** Finally, the jealousy between Ephraim and Judah will end. Ephraim represents the Christian Gentile since Ephraim was adopted into the tribes of Israel. Judah represents the true nationality of Jews that gave us the Messiah, Jesus our Christ. They will fight the enemy together. They will plunder the nations and occupy their land. God will open a path through the Red Sea and over the Euphrates River and it will become of highway for the remnant to come home. *** In Corinthians, Paul is defending his reputation with the church in Corinth. They have been deceived by the Super Apostles and have been coerced into thinking Paul came only to rob them and take advantage of them. Paul didn’t even take up an offering for himself from them and now wishes he had. Sometimes you don’t value something until you have to pay for it. *** He is grieved that when he comes, he wont find them living in righteousness, but following the false apostles who preach you can indulge in sin and still follow God. *** Lord, help us to see your plan. Help us not to take the easy way and fall to false prophets and greasy grace. May we walk in holiness and righteousness. May we see your hand in our land and in the world. May you make a way for justice to return and lawlessness to cease. All glory and honor to the Lamb.

Wed.’s Devo - God of Judgment

Read: Isaiah 8:1-9:21; 2 Corinthians 12:1-10; Psalm 55:1-23; Proverbs 23:4-5 Isaiah asks for two honest men to witness him making a sign which read: Maher-shalalhash-baz which means “quickly to the spoil, hasting the prey.” *** Then Isaiah fulfilled the prophecy about how the virgin would have a son and he and his wife gave birth to a son. They named him the name on the sign because he was the sign. Before he would be able to say ‘Papa’ or ‘Mama’ the king of Assyria would carry away the abundance of Syria and Israel. *** Isaiah told the people of Judah that they had rejected God’s kindness and love and instead they rejoiced when they saw the fate of Israel and Syria. God would flood their land. He warned them not to fear what other nations fear, but to fear the Lord who could destroy them or save them. *** A time of darkness and despair was coming to Judah but it would not last forever. Galilee would one day be filled with the glory of God. Jesus would walk its streets and bring salvation, healing, deliverance and hope. He would be the light in the darkness. The government of the people will rest on his shoulders and he will be our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. God’s government is one of peace, judgment and justice. *** God’s judgment brings destruction to the wicked and those who refuse to repent, but it brings rewards for those who remained faithful to God. *** God spoke out against Jacob. In their arrogance they claimed they would rebuild, but God had proclaimed destruction for them. God would destroy the leaders of Israel and the lying prophets. Even the widows and the orphans were wicked hypocrites. The wickedness of the people would cause them to devour one another. *** In Corinthians, Paul continued to talk about the Super Apostles who told them wild stories of their revelations and encounters with the Lord. Paul could tell them about his encounters but he does’t want to boast. God sent him a thorn in his flesh to keep him humble. Paul learned through this that it is in our weaknesses that He is made strong. *** Lord, in our weaknesses we ask you to be very strong. May our hearts stay humble and pliable in your hands. May we have your eyes to see your signs. May we hear your voice and obey.

Tues.’s Devo - Isaiah’s Message

Read: Isaiah 6:1-7:25; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 23:1-3 Isaiah was promoted to a higher prophetic position when Uzziah lost his position as king. Uzziah had reigned for 50 years and during that time Judah had experienced great prosperity. Uzziah started out as a good king but let pride slip in and one day went into the Temple to do what only the priests were allowed to do. He offered incense on the altar and it took 80 priests to get him out before he was covered with leprosy. His reigning stopped then and his son had to take his place until he died. He was a picture of what had happened to Judah spiritually. *** In the year Uzziah died, Isaiah was brought to God’s throne and shown the Lord and the Temple filled with God’s presence. The angel touched Isaiah’s lips and removed his guilt and forgave his sins. He offered to go to the people to give God’s message. The message was that God was going to harden their hearts so they could not hear, or understand God’s message. *** Isaiah asked how long this would continue and God said until their towns were empty and the whole country was a wasteland. Only a very small remnant would survive. *** Ahaz was the king of Judah at the time. King Resin of Syria and Pekah the king of Israel set out to attack Jerusalem. When Ahaz found out, he was very afraid. God sent Isaiah to go and meet him and tell him to not worry because the invasion would never happen. Israel would be completely destroyed in the next 65 years. *** Later, God sent Isaiah back to Ahaz to tell him to ask for a sign of confirmation and make it as difficult as possible. Ahaz refused to ask for one so God told him he would give him one anyway. He told him that the virgin would have a son and his name would be called Emmanuel which means God is with us. Before he was able to eat solid food, the lands of the kings of Israel and Syria which were threatening to come and take Jerusalem would be deserted. Then the Lord would bring the king of Assyria on Jerusalem. The king of Egypt would also come and take everything in their land. Only a very few people would be left to live off the land. The land would turn to thorns and briers and the wild animals will take over. *** Isaiah’s wife was the virgin or young woman who had a son, but he was also prophesying of a virgin in the future who would have a son and he would be the Messiah who would be God, come down to earth to dwell with us. *** In Corinthians, Paul defends his life of suffering for the truth of the gospel against these “Super Apostles” who have come to deceive them with lies. He asks the people if these people are really servants of Christ. He gives examples of his own life to show what a servant of Christ looks like. It is one who has given his life to serve. Our Psalm was probably Paul’s prayer many times. *** Lord, may we not be deceived by teaching that would entice us to be lazy or justified to sin. May we walk even more uprightly in these days so that your light can shine even brighter in our lives.

Mon.’s Devo - Judgment Brings Reward for the Righteous

Read: Isaiah 3:1-5:30; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15; Psalm 53:1-6; Proverbs 22:28-29 God continues to describe the judgment that is coming to Jerusalem and Judah. Everything they depended on is about to be taken from them… substance and leaders will all be gone. Their leaders will be replaced with unexperienced men. The people will fight each other and have no respect for wisdom. They won’t be able to talk a person into leading them. *** This will all happen because Jerusalem forgot the Lord and provoked His anger. They brought this destruction upon themselves and will reap what they sowed. *** But, to the godly, God said all would be well and they would enjoy the rich reward that they have earned. This is the judgment handed down to the righteous. *** God hands down the judgment to the wicked. Since they filled their houses with things stolen from the poor, the Lord will strip away everything that made her beautiful. Everything will be taken from her and she will get shame for her beauty. *** During that purge, there will be so few men left alive that seven women will pay one man to marry them. But the ones who found refuge in the hope of the coming Messiah will be the fruit of the earth. They will escape the horrible judgment of the wicked. Their sins will be washed away and the presence of the Lord will be a tabernacle of shade from the heat of the day. God will be a place of refuge and a shelter from the storm. *** Chapter 5 gives us a parable of what was happening. Israel the vineyard had brought forth wild grapes and now the vine dresser had to destroy the vineyard. They called evil good, and good evil. They were wise in their own eyes and justified their bribery and unfair justice. God will call distant nations to come and destroy Jerusalem. But there is hope for the righteous. They will find good pastures and feed among the ruins. *** In Corinthians, Paul addresses the new teachings of the “super apostles” who taught a different Jesus than the one he preached. These were probably the Nicolatans who thought themselves superior to everyone else and taught the people that they could practice idolatry and immorality. Paul called them deceivers and compared them to Satan who discusses himself as an angel of light. In the end they will get the punishment they deserve. *** Lord, may we have great discernment in these days to stay on the right path of righteousness. May we not be discouraged by the judgment of the wicked but rejoice in the judgment of the righteous because there is rich reward for us.

Sun.’s Devo - Victory is the Lord’s

Read: Isaiah 1:1-2:22; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18; Psalm 52:1-9; Proverbs 22:26-27 Isaiah is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Isaiah means “God is Salvation.” He is directly quoted 21 times in the New Testament. *** He prophesied during the reigns of Huzzah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, the kings of Judah. It is believed that he was martyred during the reign of Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son. *** He prophesied during a crucial time in the history of Judah and Israel. Both had experienced about 500 years of increasing prosperity and power. Israel had succumbed to pagan worship and Judah had fallen into moral and spiritual decline also. Secret places of pagan worship were tolerated, the wealthy oppressed the poor, the women neglected their families to go after carnal pleasure and many of the priests had become pleasers of men. God’s covenant with his people had become violated by the people and God had sent his prophets to turn the people around before he would have to judge them for their sins. *** Isaiah was one of these prophets sent to turn the people’s hearts back to him. He claimed that the people didn’t know their master and didn’t realize he cared for them. They continued to go through the motion but their hearts were not in it. God said that he hated the hypocrisy of their acts of worship. He called them to repent. He promised to make their scarlet sins as white as snow. *** God proposed to take care of them and be their providers if they would turn and stop oppressing their neighbors. Isaiah warned them of God’s judgement. *** In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house would be the highest of all and the most important place on the earth. It will be the one the people stream to. The people will walk in his ways and obey his teachings. We will no longer war with each other but they will plant for the future. We will plan for life, not death. It will be the enemies of God who will be running to hide under the ground. They will try to escape the judgment of the Lord. *** I can’t think of a time whey Isaiah is not more relevant. This is what we are experiencing in our nation and in the world. We do not need to fear these people who are ruling; the ones who think they are so important. They will soon be hiding in their tunnels and running for their lives. We will occupy their mountains because the kingdoms of the world will become the kingdoms of our God. *** Paul was going through the same spiritual warfare that Isaiah was going through. Paul told us that we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s weapons to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy the pride that keeps people from knowing God. *** Paul defended his God-given authority. His boast was in the Lord and what he had done. *** Lord, our boast is in You and what you have done in our lives and in our nation. You will defeat our enemies because they are your enemies. We will be like olive trees, thriving in the house of God.

Sat.’s Devo - Staying Responsive Reaps Rewards

Read: Song of Songs 5:1-8:14; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Proverbs 22:24-25 We open today’s reading with the lover entering his garden which is Israel. He is looking to find love from his bride. She welcomes him, then goes to sleep. She hears the call of the Lord and yet is too preoccupied to respond. When she gets ready to respond, he can’t be found. *** She begins a desperate search to return to the Lord. Israel has become prosperous and the envy of other nations but she has lost her real king which is the Lord. *** She speaks of her younger sister which is Judah. Israel had many lovers but God was always calling her back. The true bride hears the Lord’s voice and responds. *** In Corinthians, it sounds like Paul was always asking for money, though none of is was going to himself. He reminded the church at Corinth of their original pledge and prays that they fulfill their promises. He relates their giving to planing seed in a field. The farmer who plants many seeds will get a more generous crop. But, giving must come from the heart. God loves a person who cheerfully gives. *** Paul reminds them of the joy their fellow believers will have when they receive their gift and how thankful they will be. They will see how good God is and it will restore their faith in Him. All of this will go to the account of the people who give. In response, the receivers will pray for the givers. Everybody wins! *** Lord, help us to be cheerful givers and may we always be awake to God’s calling and desirous of his presence.

Fris.’s Devo - Israel’s Story

Read: Song of Songs 1:1-4:16; 2 Corinthians 8:16:24; Psalm 50:1-23; Proverbs 22:22-23 Every time I read Song of Songs I see it a little differently. When I read it this time, I really see the young woman as Israel and the young man as God, come to earth. Of course, we know that it was Jesus who came to earth and we will be his bride, but they only knew God as king. *** Our story begins with the woman wanting the love of her lover. The whole nation loves this man. *** In 1:5, the woman sees the state she is in. It is like when Israel turns back to God after going into idolatry. She wakes up and wants to find God again. God has never stopped loving her. *** The man and the woman have conversation and they reacquaint and fall back in love. But, time goes by without communication and she then decides to go look for God again (3:1). *** The King comes back with his army and Israel beholds his glory once again. They renew their covenant and he wears the crown his mother gave him on his wedding day. In other words, God is acknowledged as their king again. *** He once again expresses his love for his people. The young woman (Israel) prays for the presence of the Lord to blow on them and enjoy them once again. *** In Corinthians, Paul writes that he is coming with Titus who is eager to see them again. Another man will be coming with them who is a respected teacher of the Word. Paul asks that they receive him also with love. They will be on their way to take the offering they have collected to the persecuted people at the church in Jerusalem. *** Lord, may you be our constant companion. May we not forget you or disrespect your Word. May we always be thankful of all you have done.

Thur.’s Devo - Solomon’s Last Words

Read: Ecclesiastes 10:1-12:14; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15; Psalm 49:1-20; Proverbs 22:20-21 Solomon said that having just a little foolishness can spoil great wisdom and honor. On the other hand, if you make big mistakes at your job, by having a quiet spirit you can calm your boss. *** It is a grave mistake to exalt a fool while demoting princes. *** In everything you do, you must count the cost first. God has given us gifts for us to use in our lives, but we shouldn’t be afraid of hard work. *** Watch what you say about those in power over you because it might get back to them. If you are wise and invest, it is wise to have a diverse portfolio. *** We will never understand all the mysteries of God and everything that is coming in the future, so it is wise to fear him. *** If you wait till everything is perfect before your start a venture, you will never start. *** Solomon advised the young to enjoy their youth but to understand that they must give an account to God for everything they do. He tells us to refuse to worry and to keep our bodies healthy. *** He reminds us to remember God before we get too old to be able to make sense. His conclusion is to fear God and keep his commandments because God will bring every work into judgment including every secret thing, whether it is good or bad. *** In Corinthians, Paul was overwhelmed by the generosity of the church in Macedonia. They were very poor and yet they gave abundantly to the church in Jerusalem. *** Paul encourages the church in Corinth to do the same. He reminded them that Jesus, who was rich in heaven, chose to come to earth to be poor and give everything he had to save us. He is our example in how to give. *** Lord, may we remember what your did for us and gladly give of our selves and our means to further your Kingdom on earth. May we refuse to worry and let joy be our medicine.

Weds.’s Devo - The Inheritance We Leave

Read: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 48:1-14; Proverbs 22:17-19 Solomon says that a good reputation is very valuable. Our reputation is what we leave to the world and will be spoke about at our funeral. It is wise to go to a funeral to remind ourselves of what we want people to say about us. It is how we finish our lives that is important. Were we patient? Could we control our temper? Did we walk with God? *** If we are wealthy, we need wisdom even more. We need to accept the way God does things and trust that he does work everything out for our good, no matter how twisted it looks at the time. *** In Solomon’s weaving words, he tells us to be balanced in our living and fear God. We also need to have grace for people and remember our own sins. God created us to be virtuous and if we walk down his path, we will be. *** We must do our part in this world and honor authority given by God. God has a time and a way to do everything. He knows how to rescue us from our troubles. *** Solomon makes a very important statement: When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong. So true! *** On the other hand, when we walk in righteousness we can enjoy fun. It is the reward of hard work. *** One thing for sure that Solomon got wrong was that what we do on earth, dies with our death. We are spiritual beings and what we do is eternal. What we do is so important for our families. Our righteousness is our spiritual inheritance we pass down to the next generation. How we live our lives effects those who will come behind us. The condition we leave the world is important also, and we will be remembered for that. *** Everyone experiences hard times but they make us stronger and produce patience and faith in our hearts. We learn wisdom by the things we experience and what God teaches us through them. *** Paul proves that in his second letter to the Corinthians. His first letter had been a reproof and it hurt him to send it, but it turned them around so now he is glad he sent it. He says that worldly sorrow that doesn’t result in repentance ends in death. They also showed their maturity by the way the received Titus and loved him even though he brought the letter of rebuke. *** Lord, may we be able to receive rebuke and may it cause us to become even more eager to please you and do your work.

Tues.’s Devo - Life

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:7; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 22:16 Solomon observed that those that are oppressed have no hope of change. Solomon thought it would have been better for them if they had never been born. *** He saw that most were motivated to success because they envied what their neighbors had. This was meaningless, like chasing the wind. *** Another meaningless thing he observed was men who worked hard but had no heir to leave it to. That is why it was better to have a partner to share the load with and even three was better. *** Wisdom was greater than riches because riches don’t always benefit a person. Talking less and thinking more is also better especially if you are speaking to God. *** Those in power may oppress the weak and those who love money can never have enough. Money comes and it goes and we can’t take it with us to the grave. *** Solomon noticed one good thing: It is good to be able to enjoy life and what you have. God gives wealth and good health for us to enjoy. If you enjoy what you have, you won’t have time to brood over the past. It is a tragedy to have a lot and never be able to enjoy it. It is equally sad to desire what you don’t have instead of enjoying what you do have. *** Our destinies have been determined by God before we came to earth, so we should learn to be content with what God has decided for us. *** In Corinthians, Paul instructs the people not to partner with unbelievers. God told the Israelites to come out from among the Egyptians and to come to him. This is a command to us also. We have to cleanse our hearts of things that defile our spirits. *** Even our Proverb tells us that oppressing the poor and using bribery to get ahead will only cause us to end in poverty. *** Lord, may we live our lives to enrich those around us with things money can’t buy. May we be vessels that pour out love, hope, peace and joy to nourish those we meet today.

Mon.’s Devo - Finding Meaning

Read: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:22; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 22:15 It is important while reading Ecclesiastes to realize that it was written at the end of Solomon’s life when he had married many foreign wives that led him away from the Lord. Proverbs was written in his early life when he was walking with the Lord and realized that the fear of the Lord was the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs is a book of God’s wisdom and Ecclesiastes is a book of man’s wisdom. It is used to show a comparison of both. In Proverbs, Solomon reveres the Lord above all, in Ecclesiastes, he is cynical and almost mad - as insane. *** Solomon says many times in Ecclesiastes that everything is meaningless. It is, if you think that man is in control. He exhausts himself in finding a meaning to life apart from God. He finds it is like chasing the wind. *** Solomon knows God has made him the wisest man in the world which only makes him more depressed. He tries pleasure but when it doesn’t satisfy he tries building something tangible. It all ended up leaving him empty. He then resorts to philosophy and trying to figure out life. He ends up hating life because it is so troubling. He ends up hating all he had built because he is just going to die and leave it to others. *** After all his searching for meaning, he concludes that it is better to enjoy food, and drink and to find satisfaction in work. It all comes from the hand of God. *** Solomon realizes that everything happens in the right time in God’s cycle and his calendar. God plants eternity in the heart of every person so that he will find no lasting fulfillment here on earth. We are hard-wired for eternity. So, Solomon concludes that man should enjoy their lives on earth because it is not meant to last forever in this condition. *** Paul speaks of this same idea in Corinthians but comes up with a different end. He has faced every kind of hardship gladly in order to preach the truth of Jesus. He lived his life with eternity as his goal. He is not living for the now, but the future. *** Paul speaks of ‘time’ also. He says that at just the right time salvation came to us and that day is today. He had learned that having material things mean nothing. He had nothing and yet he had everything because he had peace in Jesus. Solomon had everything and yet he had no peace. *** Paul begs the Corinthians to open their heart to receiving them with love. *** Lord, may we find our meaning and purpose in you, alone. Thank you for the salvation you have given us in Christ. We rest in your love and mercy.

Sun.’s Devo - Reconciliation

Read: Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14 God asked Job if he still had a problem with him. Job was humbled and told God he had already spoken too much; he had nothing to say to the Lord. *** Then God continued to question Job. He asked him if he would discredit God’s justice to prove he, Job, was right. He asked Job to show his majesty and prove that the world feared his power. Was he as strong as God? God gave Behemoth as his example of his handiwork. It is believed to be the hippopotamus. The next example he gave was Leviathan which sounds like a fire-breathing dragon. *** Job answered that in his ignorance he had questioned God’s wisdom but now he understood he knew nothing. He took back everything he had said about the Lord and repented. *** The Lord spoke to Eliphaz and told him he was angry with him and his two friends because they had not spoken accurately about him or of Job. He told them to bring seven bulls and seven rams to Job and offer a burnt offering for themselves. Job would pray for them and he would hear Job’s prayer. *** When Job prayed for them, God restored his fortunes double as much as before. He gave him seven more sons and three more daughters. God restored his family and friends to him. He was able to live 140 more years and was able to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. *** Paul defends himself and the gospel of Christ. He claims that Christ died for everyone and will give them new life if they believe he died and rose from death to life. *** They had known Jesus as a man but now they know him as the Christ, the risen Lord. Anyone who comes to Christ becomes a new person, their old life is gone. Christ was the bridge between man and God that people like Job had prayed for. Jesus reconciled us to God and made us right with God. *** Lord, thank you for giving your son for us. Jesus, thank you for dying for us and giving us new life. Holy Spirit, thank you for leading us to truth. May we be witnesses for you on the earth.